Anne Ashley (15 page)

Briony clearly recalled the attention he had paid Melissa
Petersham on the night of the party and thought Luke might possibly be right.
She remembered, too, the attention she had once received from the handsome
doctor and couldn’t help wondering now if she had been singled out because of a
doting godmother who might have provided a substantial dowry. Oddly enough she
felt more amused than offended by the distinct possibility. Her thoughts then
returned to Melissa and she couldn’t resist having her curiosity satisfied.

‘No, I never really saw her as a viable suspect, Briony,’ he
confirmed in answer to her question. ‘She’s a dizzy damsel, frivolous, but not,
I think, a traitor to her country. She does happen to be Simon’s sister, of
course, and she has stayed at Petersham House from time to time. So, yes, there
was an outside chance that she might be the link in the chain. But I struck her
off the list on the night of our dinner party. No one with a modicum of
intelligence would entrust her to pass on secret information. Her cousin, on the
other hand, is quite another matter.

‘From the first he has been my prime suspect and I’ve been
keeping a watchful eye on Miles Petersham for quite some time now. I’ve moved in
the same circles, played at the same gaming tables for high stakes. I’ve been
lucky for the most part, winning far more than I’ve lost… Our friend Miles
hasn’t been so fortunate, at least not during the two years I’ve been back in
London. Yet he’s always able, somehow, to repay his debts, no matter how much he
loses in a night.’

‘It’s always possible his father makes him a generous allowance
and comes to his aid when the need arises,’ Briony suggested.

Luke smiled grimly. ‘Do not believe everything you hear about
Lord Petersham, Briony,’ he advised. ‘My aunt knew him for what he was, what
he’s always been—a notorious miser. I remember well enough that, when up at
Oxford, Miles was forever complaining about the pitiful allowance his father
made him. I’m not suggesting for a moment that Lord Petersham doesn’t now suffer
ill health. I’m certain he does. No doubt your friend Dr Mansfield will attest
readily enough to that. But I also know his lordship’s disinclination to
socialise stems more from a determination not to dip into his pocket to pay for
such gatherings than anything else.’

Briony chose to ignore the scathing reference to her particular
friendship with Dr Mansfield and concentrated her thoughts on Luke’s astonishing
revelations. ‘Well, all I can say is Lord Petersham must be seething over the
cost of Melissa’s farewell party. No expense was spared, remember?’

‘I suspect Miles possibly had a hand in that. I had an
interesting discussion with Dr Mansfield when we dined at his place the other
week. Seemingly Lord Petersham’s last seizure was quite severe. It isn’t beyond
the realms of possibility that, as a result, Miles now has more control over the
family’s finances.’

Briony considered for a moment. ‘In that case might he now
abandon his other methods of acquiring money to maintain his chosen lifestyle,
thereby denying you the opportunity of proving his guilt?’

‘Possibly… Who can say?’ Luke released his breath in a
protracted sigh. ‘I sincerely hope I’m not a vindictive man, Briony. I also wish
the traitor hadn’t been someone I know. But I cannot forget that Miles’s
despicable activities possibly cost the lives of many fine soldiers, some of
whom were good friends of mine. I cannot forget those who are still out there
fighting for their country—courageous men like Hugo Prentiss.’

‘No, of course you can’t,’ she agreed softly, striving not to
dwell on the dangers that particular brave soldier might face in the future.
‘So, your assignment was to come down here to Dorset in order to eliminate the
other possible suspects, and gather what information you could about the
Petersham family’s activities and Miles’s in particular?’

He nodded, staring sombrely down into the remaining contents of
his glass. ‘Of course, having an aunt residing in the county was a godsend,
offering me the perfect cover. It was common knowledge that Lady Lavinia
Ashworth had helped raise me, had stood in the place of a mother. What could be
more natural than for me to reside for a while with someone I adored, especially
as I had been artfully paving the way for a period of forced rustication for
some few months so as not to arouse the least suspicion?’

Briony frowned at this. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Recklessly gambling and losing large sums over a period of
several weeks.’ He smiled crookedly. ‘All nonsense, of course. Those occasions
when I did lose heavily were always carefully contrived. I did it quite
deliberately, but only with close and trusted associates of Sir Bartholomew. The
money was always returned to me in full. Then, of course, my name was being
linked increasingly with several members of the opposite sex…and one in
particular. But I’ll not go into that, save to say it served a purpose.’

Briony had hardly been aware of his reference to the notorious
Lady Tockington. What had become crystal clear was the motive behind his
marriage to her. She had always known he must have had a very good reason for
doing so and that it had nothing to do with the sudden blossoming of any tender
emotions. The truth hadn’t hurt back then, on that day he had slipped the
wedding band onto her finger. But it did now. Truth on occasions could be so
very cruel and so very painful.

She attempted to fortify herself from the contents of her
glass. ‘Your aunt’s death was a bitter blow in more ways than one. I see that
now.’ She took another sip of wine in an attempt to ease the constricting ache
in her throat. Aware that he was watching her closely, she rose from the chair
and went over to the window again, determined not to reveal her ever-increasing
heartache. ‘You—you were obliged to pay a high price…relinquishing your
bachelorhood in order to continue your surveillance without rousing
suspicion.’

His immediate response surprised her somewhat. ‘No, I don’t
think so.’ He had sounded so very matter of fact about it, too. ‘Almost from the
first, instinct told me I could trust you. I would have much preferred had you
not become involved,’ he freely admitted, before raising his left hand in a
helpless gesture. ‘I did everything I could in the hope of achieving just that.
I used the tunnel, which, incidentally, I discovered as a boy, in order to come
and go unobserved. I had Ben housed here at the lodge so that I could ride out
at night on Vulcan and no one would be any the wiser. What I couldn’t possibly
have made the least allowance for was marrying someone who was such a confounded
light sleeper!’

She couldn’t forbear a smile at the disgruntled tone. ‘I’m not
as a rule,’ she admitted. ‘These past weeks, though, have been…unsettling to say
the least, and my sleep has probably suffered as a result. But that is beside
the point,’ she went on, determined to concentrate her thoughts and discover all
she could. ‘Why did you choose the other night in particular to go abroad? Had
you received word that information might be passed on and were hoping to catch
Miles Petersham in the act?’

He laughed outright at this, genuinely amused, then winced at
the pain shooting through his shoulder. ‘If only it were that simple! No,
Briony. Truth to tell, I’m still not 100 percent certain Miles is our
traitor…but almost convinced that he is. What I’ve been doing these past weeks
is scouting the area, searching out possible landing places for contraband.
There are several, as our friend Lieutenant Henshaw is very well aware. I took a
rowing boat out the other week, hired from one of the fishermen living in the
cove below Petersham House. It isn’t visible from the coast road, and you cannot
even glimpse it from the cliff edge, but there’s a small cove just below the
House.

‘I pulled the rowing boat up on to the area of shingle beach
and noticed that, behind some rocks, was an opening in the cliff face,
completely undetectable from the sea and easily wide enough for a man to squeeze
through carrying a quantity of contraband. Further exploration revealed that it
opened up into a wide, high cave. It was an easy climb up to a further opening
that granted access to a wide grassy path in the Petershams’ sizeable
shrubbery—the perfect cover for smugglers. A lookout placed near the road would
reveal when the coast was clear. Then it would be a simple matter to lead the
donkeys, laden with goods, across the road and into the cover of the wood.’

‘Heavens above!’ Briony was genuinely shocked. ‘You don’t
suppose the whole Petersham family is involved, do you?’

‘Possibly. It’s surprising how many are willing to close their
curtains on the dark nights the—er—gentlemen are abroad…for a price, naturally.
But I doubt the old man has been involved in the selling of his country’s
secrets. A miser he might be, but I would hesitate to call him traitor.’ He
shook his head. ‘No, that I have come increasingly to believe was Miles’s
brainchild. Not only has he a cousin employed in the War Office, he has
undoubtedly been acquainted with those engaged in smuggling on both sides of the
Channel for many years. Ideally placed, one might say, to sell one’s country’s
secrets.’

‘But how to prove it,’ Briony remarked, after a moment’s sombre
reflection.

‘Quite! And that I was endeavouring to do the other night,’
Luke admitted. ‘I was hoping to get close enough to the smugglers to recognise
one of them. I’ve been down to the fishing village a score of times. I’ve even
sampled a tankard or two of ale in that lowly tavern down there, studying the
locals, attempting to judge their mettle. To persuade one of them to inform
wouldn’t be easy, I’ve always known that. The gangs are usually made up of men
in the surrounding area, close-knit. Should one of their number turn traitor, he
risks not only his own life, but the lives of his immediate family.’

‘In that case it’s unlikely one of them will risk turning
informant,’ she pointed out.

‘Perhaps,’ he agreed, staring thoughtfully down at the
patchwork quilt covering the bed. ‘But it would be a mistake to brand them all
as hardened cutthroats. Men become involved for a variety of reasons. Usually
it’s money, but not always. Some don’t quite realise just what they’re getting
into. Initially they do it for a bit of adventure, the thrill of outwitting the
law, and having a few extra guineas in their pocket. They don’t realise that,
once involved, there’s no way out… And it is just such a one I’m desperate to
find.’

When Briony made no comment he eventually glanced across and
was surprised to discover an almost-frozen expression on her face. ‘What’s
wrong? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘You haven’t,’ she assured him. ‘But I couldn’t help
wondering—if you did manage to find someone, what guarantees could you offer to
assure him that he and his loved ones would not suffer as a result of assisting
you?’

‘Much would depend on his needs. But I would do everything
within my power to protect him and his family. He certainly wouldn’t lose by
it.’

‘I see.’ Placing her glass back on the table, Briony hurried
across to the door. ‘You need to rest, so I’ll leave you now. I shall return
later. I’ll ask Janet to bring you your lunch, if I’m not back in time… It just
so happens I’ve remembered an urgent errand in town.’

Chapter Twelve

‘W
hy, this is a pleasant surprise!’ Mary
declared, after Briony had entered the shop late that same morning. ‘I haven’t
seen you in weeks, though I cannot say I’m in the least surprised. If I were
married to such a charming gentleman, I wouldn’t wish to be away from him for
very long.’

Briony took the gentle teasing in good part and was happy
enough to chat away on quite impersonal topics for some little time, after she
and her childhood companion had sought the privacy of the back room. Even so,
she never once lost sight of the important reason behind the visit; the instant
Mary had finished regaling her with all the latest scurrilous gossip circulating
about the town and surrounding area, she came to the point of her visit.

Her companion’s demeanour changed in an instant, her expression
becoming decidedly guarded. ‘Wh-what makes you suppose I’m concerned about
Will?’

‘Because you admitted as much when I visited you here not long
after Lady Ashworth’s funeral,’ Briony reminded her, determined to get to the
truth of the matter. ‘You said he’d been mixing in bad company… Would that
company be free traders, by any chance?’

The fact that Mary gave a visible start was answer enough.
‘Come on, Mary, you can trust me,’ she urged. ‘For some little time I’ve
suspected that bolt of dark-blue silk you had here was smuggled goods and I’ve
never once confided my suspicions to anyone, not even to my husband.’ She
thought it prudent not to add that she hadn’t needed to do so, as Luke had
suspected as much himself.

‘Oh, Briony, if only you knew how worried I’ve been these past
months!’ she declared, burying her face in her hands for a moment. ‘He was mad
to get involved with them in the first place. He’s admitted as much himself,’
she revealed, spreading her hands in a helpless gesture. ‘But…’

‘But once you’re in with the free traders, there’s no getting
out without grave risk,’ Briony finished for her. ‘Yes, I know that much myself.
They’re a ruthless lot, by all accounts, and quite merciless to those who would
attempt to betray them, or those they no longer trust.’

Mary sighed. ‘That material he brought here was his share from
several runs,’ she explained. ‘He didn’t want anything for himself. I suppose he
felt too ashamed of what he’d done. In the end he was forced to take something
in case they became suspicious. That was the first I ever knew about his
involvement, when he brought that bolt of silk to the shop. He swore, given the
choice, he’d have nothing more to do with them. He’s not so much bothered for
himself. He could disappear one night and make a fresh start somewhere else,
miles away from here, where they’d never find him. But he wouldn’t do that and
leave me behind. He’s afraid they might take their revenge out on me.

‘Oh, but, Briony, I don’t want to leave!’ Mary declared, on the
verge of tears. ‘I’ve made such a life for myself here. If I went off with Will,
I’d lose everything I’ve worked so hard for these past years. But if I don’t,
what will become of him? Deep down I know he’s only remaining in the gang now
because of me.’

‘Perhaps there might be a way out for you both,’ Briony at last
revealed. ‘I know of someone who might be able to help. But he will need to
speak with your brother first.’

Mary appeared unsure, as though she couldn’t quite believe what
she was being told. ‘But who could help us, and how?’

‘That needn’t concern you for the moment. What you must do is
persuade Will to come over to the Manor. When do you next expect to see
him?’

‘This Sunday, as it so happens. He always comes to see me
whenever he can. He does get a day off now and then. He usually calls in the
afternoon when he does come and stays for an hour or so and has a bite to
eat.’

‘Well, this Sunday, if he’s willing to take the chance, and he
really wishes to sever all ties with the free traders, bring him over to the
Manor for tea. I know there’s a risk. It’s only to be expected you’ll be seen.
But it isn’t unusual for you to hire the gig from the White Hart, Mary,’ Briony
reminded her. ‘Do so this Sunday. Place several packages in there, then folk
will assume you’re merely out and about making deliveries, so your call at the
Manor will not seem in any way odd. It’s common knowledge I’m a regular customer
of yours. Once there, I will introduce you to the person who can help,
providing, that is, your brother is prepared to help him in return.’

She rose to her feet, not wishing Mary to bombard her with
questions that she was unable to answer. ‘If Will is wishful to escape from the
clutches of the free traders, then I shall expect to see you on Sunday. If you
do not arrive….well, I shall understand and shall not attempt to raise the
subject with you again.’

* * *

Although Briony had only to be patient for two days, it
did seem an interminable long wait before Sunday finally arrived. Much of her
time during daylight hours had been taken up attempting to keep Luke amused,
and, more importantly, striving to prevent him from committing more folly by
leaving his bed too soon, thereby running the risk of a possible relapse.

He had certainly proved himself to be not the most amenable
patient in the world. Eventually, though, common sense had prevailed and he had
reluctantly accepted that he could accomplish little until after Ben Carey had
returned, hopefully carrying instructions from Sir Bartholomew on how to
proceed, and had therefore been prepared, albeit reluctantly, to remain in the
small ground-floor bedchamber at the lodge for the time being at least.

Although Mary had given her every reason to suppose her brother
wasn’t a contented member of the smuggling gang, Briony had no way of knowing
for sure whether Will would be willing to trust someone he hadn’t set eyes on in
very many years. Consequently, she had kept the knowledge of Will’s involvement
to herself and had not taken Luke into her confidence. It wasn’t that she didn’t
trust him. On the contrary, she trusted him implicitly now. All the same, she
didn’t wish to jeopardise her close bond with Mary by revealing what she knew to
a third party, until such time as she had attained full permission from both
brother and sister.

A somewhat battered gig turning into the driveway caught
Briony’s immediate attention as she stood at the parlour window anxiously
waiting; she released her breath in a sigh of relief. As the minutes had ticked
slowly by and mid-afternoon had arrived, she had almost given up any hope of
seeing them at all. But there they were, sitting side by side in the rickety
conveyance that had seen a good many years’ service, and would no doubt see a
good many more, if the thrifty innkeeper at the White Hart had his way.

It surprised Briony not at all to see Will tool the gig round
the side of the house towards the stable yard. Mary, even though she had risen
in status far above that of a servant, had never once given herself airs, nor
attempted to take advantage of her close association with Lady Ashworth. Nor,
for that matter, had she once attempted to gain entry to the Manor by way of any
other entrance than the kitchen door. Consequently, several more minutes had
elapsed before the parlour door was opened by Janet, and Mary, closely followed
by her giant of a brother, entered the room.

All at once Briony was reminded of the first time she had ever
clapped eyes on Colonel Hugo Prentiss. Will was as tall, if not an inch or two
taller, than the big man who would always hold a place in her heart. Unlike the
darling Colonel, however, poor Will looked decidedly ill at ease, standing in
the doorway and turning his misshapen hat round and round in his massive
hands.

‘Is everything arranged, Janet?’

‘Yes, mistress. I carried the baskets of food down to the
cellar myself and I’ll see to it that young Daisy’s kept busy when you’re
ready.’

‘In that case, just give me five minutes. I must have a word
with Mary and Will first.’

Indicating the same chair that had served so well during the
Colonel’s short stay at the Manor, Briony invited Will to seat himself; once
Mary, too, was settled, she didn’t waste time on unnecessary small talk.

‘I assume, because you’re here,’ she began, ‘you wish to part
company with the free traders, Will.’

‘Aye, ma’am, that I do,’ he readily confirmed, before casting
an anxious glance in his sister’s direction. ‘Providing Mary, ’ere, comes to no
’arm.’

‘I can offer no assurances,’ she told him bluntly, ‘but someone
I know may be in a position to do so, if you’re both prepared to take the risk.
I have not confided in him myself. He’s learned nothing of your association with
a smuggling ring from me, so there is still time for you to change your mind and
take this no further, should you wish to do so.’

As the siblings merely exchanged reassuring glances, Briony
assumed they wished to go through with the meeting. ‘Very well,’ she said,
rising to her feet. ‘I think it’s only fair to tell you that, in return for his
help, he’ll expect something from you, Will. But I shall leave him to explain
about that. It only remains for me to say that it is an act of good faith on my
part taking you to see this person. No one has learned of your involvement in
smuggling from my lips, Will, and I expect the same trustworthiness from you
both in return. No one must learn of your meeting with this man. Is that
understood?’

Although both of them had been clearly puzzled, they hadn’t
hesitated to offer their assurances. Their puzzlement was as nothing, though,
when compared to the shock they displayed a few minutes later when Briony led
them both down to the cellar and opened the door to the secret passageway.

Mary was the first to find her voice. ‘Well, I never! In all
the years I worked at the Manor I never knew this was here.’

‘You are by no means the only one who remained in ignorance. I
discovered it myself quite by—er—accident,’ Briony revealed, while lighting
three lanterns. ‘Now, if you could both carry a basket and a lantern each, we
can be on our way. Perhaps you’d be good enough to ensure the door is closed
behind you, Will. And for heaven’s sake keep your head well down!’ she
cautioned. ‘We don’t want you knocking yourself out on the low ceiling.’

Picking up the third basket containing food that Janet had
carefully prepared, Briony led the way. After the many times she had used it
since Luke’s accident, the tunnel no longer held any fears for her. Mary and
Will were evidently still shocked by its existence, for neither spoke a word
until they had mounted the steps leading up to Vulcan’s stable. Only then did
Will find his voice, after he had caught his first glimpse of the magnificent
black stallion. Somehow Vulcan’s unexpected presence had a calming effect on the
big man, who had spent most of his life looking after horses, for he seemed less
tense as he followed Briony out of the stable and into the lodge.

Whether Luke had observed them passing the window, Briony had
no way of knowing. He certainly betrayed no surprise whatsoever, save for a
slight raising of one brow, when Mary and her brother followed Briony into the
small bedchamber. The same could not be said for the siblings, however. Mary
stopped dead in her tracks, nearly causing her brother to cannon into her.

Their astonished expressions made Briony smile. ‘Yes, Mary, the
person who might be able to help your brother is none other than my
husband.’

She turned to him. ‘I don’t for a moment suppose you remember
Will Norman, Luke. He worked in the stables here at the Manor for quite a number
of years before taking up a post at Petersham House.’

At being regaled with this information Luke intensified his
gaze only marginally. None the less, Briony noticed the change. ‘Yes, Luke, Will
may be the very person you require to assist you. But Mary and I shall leave you
to discuss matters in private.’

She smiled wryly as she went back across to the door. ‘I’m
sensible enough to appreciate that there are things it might be wiser for Mary
and me never to discover.’

* * *

It was a good hour later before Briony caught sight of
Will making his way through the shrubbery to where she and his sister had taken
tea on the terrace and were now enjoying the late-afternoon sunshine. She didn’t
attempt to ask any questions, and neither did his sister. All the same, it was
quite evident to them both from Will’s whole demeanour that a great weight had
been lifted from his mind.

She accompanied them both round to the stables where she waved
a last farewell before returning to the lodge, using the same route as Will had
trodden a short time before, and discovered Luke sitting up in bed, appearing
more contented than she had seen him look in many a day.

That wonderful smile that instantly curled his lips and the
hand that shot out in welcome were so spontaneous, so very natural, that she
couldn’t help but be moved by the simple gestures. All the same, she was
determined to keep a sense of perspective and not read more into those actions
than was wise. They were signs of gratitude and friendship, no more, no less,
and she must accept them as such.

Allowing her hand to remain captured in warm fingers, she
vaguely wondered why it was that, after tending to his most every need, and
being familiar now with every inch of his skin, she could still be reduced to
the level of a giddy schoolgirl by his touch.

Withdrawing her hand most reluctantly, she seated herself in
the chair positioned by the bed. ‘I assume by your smugly satisfied expression
that Will is precisely what you’ve been looking for.’

There was a hint of exasperation in the look he cast her. ‘You
damned well know he is, you baggage!’ he retorted, not attempting to moderate
his language. ‘Why the deuce didn’t you tell me at once that Will was involved?’
His expression changed, as did his tone when he added, ‘Didn’t you trust
me?’